Mechanical Considerations for Electrospun Nanofibers in Tendon and Ligament Repair

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers possess unique qualities such as nanodiameter, high surface area to volume ratio, biomimetic architecture, and tunable chemical and electrical properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of nanofibrous architecture to direct cell morphology, migration, and more complex biological processes such as differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition through topographical guidance cues. These advantages have created great interest in electrospun fibers for biomedical applications, including tendon and ligament repair. Electrospun nanofibers, despite their nanoscale size, generally exhibit poor mechanical properties compared to larger conventionally manufactured polymer fiber materials. This invites the question of what role electrospun polymer nanofibers can play in tendon and ligament repair applications that have both biological and mechanical requirements. At first glance, the strength and stiffness of electrospun nanofiber grafts appear to be too low to fill the rigorous loading conditions of these tissues. However, there are a number of strategies to enhance and tune the mechanical properties of electrospun nanofiber grafts. As researchers design the next-generation electrospun tendon and ligament grafts, it is critical to consider numerous physiologically relevant mechanical criteria and to evaluate graft mechanical performance in conditions and loading environments that reflect in vivo conditions and surgical fixation methods.

Biofabrication of Electrospun Scaffolds for the Regeneration of Tendons and Ligaments

“…Among the various techniques proposed in the literature to produce scaffolds, electrospinning, and its ability to produce nanofibers, is definitely one of the most promising for tendon and ligament tissue engineering. Several works are published annually on this topic, presenting electrospun scaffolds with increasingly improved biomimicry and enhanced cellular response [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Tuning properly the combination of all these parameters, it is possible to tune the final morphology, cross-section and orientation of the nanofibers produced [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 48 ]. Due to its ability to produce nanofibers, even made of resorbable materials, with a morphology similar to the one of collagen fibrils of tendons and ligaments, electrospinning is very promising for the regeneration and replacement of these tissues [ 9 , 10 ]. Electrospinning is also suitable to produce scaffolds that are able to reproduce the typical non-linear toe region and the biomechanical properties of tendons and ligaments [ 10 ].…”

“…The use of suitable materials is fundamental for scaffolds that have to regenerate and replace tendon and ligament tissue. A wide range of both resorbable and non-resorbable polymers, to produce electrospun nano- and microfibers for tendon and ligament applications, can be found [ 9 , 10 , 14 ]. In particular, natural or synthetic bioresorbable materials are indicated for young patients or sport athletes due to their faster cellular and metabolic activity [ 49 ].…”

Study of the release kinetics of (−) epicatechin: Effect of its location within the fiber or sphere

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Fibers and spheres with different materials can be prepared in a coaxial arrangement, allowing the inclusion of different molecules [11][12][13][14][15] or even using sandwich configurations. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Fibers and spheres with different materials can be prepared in a coaxial arrangement, allowing the inclusion of different molecules [11][12][13][14][15] or even using sandwich configurations.…”

“…Electrospinning and electrospray are versatile techniques to prepare different materials with a morphology of fibers or spheres, respectively. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Fibers and spheres with different materials can be prepared in a coaxial arrangement, allowing the inclusion of different molecules [11][12][13][14][15] or even using sandwich configurations. 16 Polymers can be combined with organic and inorganic compounds for different applications, among these are cellulose acetate (CA), [17][18][19][20] and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), [21][22][23][24] both are nontoxic and biocompatible.…”